Genealogical Experts Link Elvis to Jimmy Carter

James Earl 'Jimmy' Carter, Jr. (born October 1, 1924) was the 39th President of the United States (1977-1981) and the Nobel Peace laureate in 2002. Previously, he was the Governor of Georgia (1971-1975). In 1976, Carter won the Democratic nomination as a dark horse candidate, and went on to defeat incumbent Gerald Ford in the close 1976 presidential election.

What do Elvis Presley and former President Jimmy Carter have in common? Two prominent twentieth century American political figures are descended from Thomas Preslar, the son of Andrew. Through his daughter, Susannah Preslar, who married John Helms, can be traced three descents of Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina, and through his daughter, Sarah Preslar, who married George Helms Jr., can be traced the lineage of former President James Earl (Jimmy) Carter. Thus, Senator Helms is related to Elvis Presley in three different ways, a seventh cousin in two lines and a seventh cousin once removed in another line, and he is a seventh great-grandson of Valentine Pressler. President Carter is a sixth cousin once removed to Elvis Presley, and a sixth great-grandson of Valentine Pressler.

The publishers of RootsWeb Review said the findings were first published in a scholarly work, 'More Palantine Families', in 1991 by Henry Z. Jones, a researcher specializing in Palantine (German) genealogy. According to Jones, the immigrant ancestor of Presley's paternal line was Valentine Preslar, born in Germany around 1669, who immigrated to New York with his wife, Anna Christina Framse, in 1709. Among their three sons and two daughters was Andreas Preslar, who was born in Germany in 1701 and died in Anson County, North Carolina in 1759, Jones found.

The same research shows that Carter also descends from Valentine Preslar (the name sometimes is spelled Presslar, Presler, or Bressler) and Anna Christiana Framse, through their son Andreas and his wife Anne (Antje) Wells. In another book titled 'Notable Kin, Volume Two', genealogist Gary Boyd Roberts concludes that Presley is probably a sixth cousin once removed from Carter. RootsWeb also said, 'If you find names like Preslar, Presslar, Presler or Bressler on your family tree, you might be related to a president and a king too'.

Following Presley's death in 1977 US President Jimmy Carter stated in respect to Elvis Presley:

'Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself'.

'He was unique and irreplaceable. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense and he was a symbol to people the world over, of the vitality, rebelliousness, and good humor of his country'.

Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever.

This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.

The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.

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